I met Michael Higgins years ago. I don’t know exactly when it was. I do remember it was over a beer and a cigar at a local pub in town. There was a group of men from our church who’d meet there once a month to talk about the goings on in our lives and keep one another encouraged.

After that group disbanded I’d see Michael from time to time at church on Sunday mornings. We’d chat but it was never of any deep value or weight. We’d just give the simple howdy-do and such.

Then one afternoon, after visiting his mother in the hospital, he called me. He wouldn’t stop going on and on about his amazing meeting with Ken Rideout.

Ken, the man I’m making a documentary about, was in the hospital recovering enough to go home. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and it wasn’t a good prognosis.

That certainly didn’t stop Ken from teaching though.

Michael had wandered by and saw him and they sat and chatted for quite some time.

He then called me after leaving the hospital in a crazy fun state of excitement because he had just had his mind blown by the love and mystical way of Ken.

During the process of this edit Michael has been a constant source of encouragement for me.

After a planning meeting last year as we began our podcasting journey.

He has also been a wonderful sounding board as I try to navigate my faith and understand more what it means to actually believe that all are created equal and that the God I believe in loves everyone else as much as he loves me.

Michael is a voice for people who are cast out. He uses his voice to speak up for injustices and prejudices.

He’s a loving father and devote husband and he is, I am fortunate enough to say, my friend.

Michael and I have been working pretty hard the last few months together to bring about a new podcast. We’ve done a few episodes but now we are taking a step back to reimagine it to see how we can do it better. Once it is up again, you'll be the first to know.

Oh, and yes, if you’re wondering… The same Michael Higgins from the radio.